A MAN and a woman have appeared in court after breaching an enforcement notice made by Dorset Council 27 years ago.

The enforcement notice ordered that the use of caravans for residential purposes ceased on land off Barnsfield Road in St Leonard's, on March 19, 1997.

But on April 25 of this year, Gerrard Mongan and Martina Mongan appeared at Poole Magistrates’ Court having been found guilty of breaching the order.

The pair continued to use the land for caravans of residential use and the residential occupation of a mobile home, court records show.

They pleaded not guilty to all the charges against them.

Mr Mongan, 46, being the owner of the land, was found guilty of two counts of being in breach of the enforcement notice between October 21, 2022, and April 7, 2023.

He was discharged conditionally for three years. He was also ordered to pay costs of £750 and a victim surcharge of £26.

Ms Mongan, 41, being a person who had ‘control of or an interest in' the land, was found guilty of two counts of carrying out an activity which was required by the notice to cease between October 21, 2022, and April 7, 2023.

She was discharged conditionally for three years. She was also ordered to pay costs of £500 and a victim surcharge of £26.